Kurnool, June 25: Doctors at KIMS Hospital, Kurnool, successfully removed a large kidney stone from a pregnant woman in her early second trimester, ensuring the safety of both the mother and the foetus.
According to Dr. Y. Manoj Kumar, Head of the Department of Urology and Senior Consultant Urologist, the patient was admitted with severe flank pain and fever. Diagnostic investigations revealed a 16-mm stone lodged in the renal pelvis. Although a ureteric stent had been placed at another hospital, her symptoms persisted, prompting referral to KIMS Hospital.
After stabilising the patient with intravenous antibiotics and counselling the family regarding potential risks, including miscarriage and infection, the medical team proceeded with a definitive intervention. A Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) was performed under general anaesthesia, and the stone was fragmented and completely removed using laser technology.
Dr. Manoj Kumar said the patient experienced complete relief from pain and fever following the procedure. A follow-up scan conducted 10 days later confirmed complete clearance of the stone. The foetus was found to be healthy, with normal cardiac activity and growth parameters.
Kidney stones during pregnancy are relatively uncommon, occurring in only 0.03% to 0.5% of pregnancies worldwide. Most cases are managed conservatively or through temporary drainage procedures. However, performing definitive stone removal through RIRS at 14 weeks of pregnancy, particularly in the presence of persistent infection, is considered rare and technically challenging.
The procedure was carried out by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Y. Manoj Kumar, with support from Dr. Pruthvi, Junior Consultant Urologist, Dr. Kusuma, Consultant Gynaecologist, and Dr. Indu Priya from the Department of Anaesthesiology. Their coordinated efforts ensured the safety of both the mother and the unborn child throughout the treatment process.
Dr. Manoj Kumar noted that such procedures require meticulous planning, advanced equipment and an experienced multidisciplinary team to minimise risks and achieve favourable outcomes. Timely medical intervention, he said, played a crucial role in the successful management of this case. Hospital authorities said the successful procedure highlights the expertise of the institution’s urology department in handling complex and high-risk cases.